Assemblywoman’s ex-staffers say she had sex with other lawmakers

The latest sex-harassment scandal in the state Legislature took an interesting turn the other day when four of state Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia’s former staffers alleged that she “spoke graphically” about having sex with other lawmakers in their offices.

According to the ex-staffers, Garcia said having sex with other elected officials “was a good way of getting information,” their lawyer, Daniel Gilleon, wrote in a letter to the Assembly Rules Committee.

The former staffers declined to name the lawmakers “out of respect for their privacy,” Gilleon said. And the lawyer wouldn’t name the former staffers, saying they might want jobs again in the Legislature and figured going public would hurt their chances.

The former staffers also said Garcia pressured them into drinking in the office and at outside events, belittled her aides and often disparaged other lawmakers.

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Garcia, D-Bell Gardens (Los Angeles County), was a leader in the state Capitol’s #MeToo movement until a former staffer and a lobbyist alleged that she had groped them. She is now on a leave of absence.

In a Facebook posting responding to Gilleon’s letter, Garcia wrote, “ I will address each of these issues individually after the investigations into these allegations are closed.”

It should make for an interesting investigation — one that could make some lawmakers very nervous.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross